News from around the 32 counties of Ireland

It may have won a key legal battle in the ongoing funding war with the Northern Trust, but the champagne remains on ice at Bridge Training Unit in Antrim.

The award-winning center for vulnerable adults has been embroiled in a lengthy dispute over payments, and despite the victory at the High Court its future is far from assured.

Jacqueline Barnes, managing director of Bridge, is battling to keep heads above water – but she fears that the longer the Trust “drag their feet,” the tougher it will be to throw a lifeline.
[Source: Antrim Guardian]

ARMAGH

The police investigation into the murder of Detective Garda (Police Officer) Adrian Donohoe is believed to be focusing on an eight-strong south Armagh-based gang, some of whom are known to police in relation to other offenses including armed robbery and car theft.

Garda intelligence suggests up to nine people were involved in the robbery at Lordship Credit Union on January 25 during which Garda Donohue was shot dead. It’s believed detectives have identified a number of people they suspect of having been involved in the killing and, with the assistance of the P.S.N.I., are concentrating their efforts in the south Armagh area.

The getaway car used in the killing was found burnt out at Fews Forest near Keady and police have already seized C.C.T.V. recordings from premises between Dundalk and Keady in an attempt to follow the movements of the vehicle. The Volkswagen Passat was stolen during a robbery in Clogherhead, County Louth days earlier.
[Source: Examiner Newspaper]
CARLOW

Arctic weather gripped parts of the country last Tuesday with cold temperatures that continued for the rest of the week. Snow was not forecasted for the next few days, but there was frost and icy patches in most areas.

The wife and cousin of Olympic boxer John Joe Nevin have been ordered to make a payment of $335 to Cavan Boxing Club after being found to have carried out an illegal collection in Mullingar.

Mary Nevin, 7 Grange Heights and Marie Nevin, 68 Ardleigh Vale, both in Mullingar, appeared before Judge Seamus Hughes at the local district court.

Both women were charged with holding an unauthorized collection in Newtown Lawns on April 20.

The court heard the collection was arranged to help send John Joe's parents and his wife and son to London to support his Olympic bid.
[Source: The Anglo Celt]
CLARE

The aim of the Welcoming Claire to Clare initiative is to gather the most people with the first or surname Clare, Claire or Clair in County Clare on June 23, as they attempt to break a world record.

Their campaign to reach out to people with this name across the country and the world took its first tentative steps last week with the help of a twice Irish dancing champion, a local stylist, Clare designers, a catchy tune and a film producer.

A short film aimed at calling on all Clares to the county is being produced by ¬Martin O’Malley of Malbay Studios. It will feature Clare Daly, who will dance in various locations around the county, showcasing what it has to offer.
[Source: Clare Champion]
CORK

A Cork activist has called on Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny to apologize to the survivors of Magdalene laundries after it was found that the State was involved in over a quarter of admissions since 1922.

"He has to do the right thing, he has no other choice." This is what Dr. Katherine O'Donnell, a campaigner with survivor advocacy group Justice for Magdalene, says of An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, who has yet to offer the victims an official apology.

A 1,000 page report was published on Tuesday afternoon by an inter-departmental committee chaired by Dr. Martin McAleese. Mr. Kenny was pressed on his lack of apology by T.D.s in the Dáil last Wednesday but he said it was important to reflect on the findings and make the appropriate response in two weeks after a Dáil debate on the reports.

The report shows that 1,200 women of 10,012 admissions made in eight of the laundries since 1922 were from Cork, which accounts for 11 percent of the overall figure. This is the second highest figure, behind Dublin which accounts for 11.5 percent. There were no records available for two of the laundries operated by the Sisters of Mercy in Galway and Dun Laoghaire.
[Source: Cork Independent]
DERRY

A Derry woman has been left badly shaken after being robbed on the Peace Bridge by a man carrying a knife.

The woman was attacked at 8:25 p.m. last Tuesday night as she was walking along the Peace Bridge towards the Waterside.